Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-09-11
DAILY HERALD.
BILLY EMERSON.
A Chat with j. II. Love, His
Manager.

Our reporter called ON j. II. Love,
mana ger for William Emerson, yes
terday. at the Pico House, and had a
very interesting talk about the prince
of minstrels and his doings. "Billy
Emerson" Mr.. Love says, is without
exception one of the most remarka-
BILE and interesting professionals he
has ever dealt with. He is interest
ing because he rose from a lowly sta
ton in life to the top pinnacle OF min
strel fame, and he is remarkable
because he still holds it. Why do |
think he is so great? Well | might
cite few instances: The first time
l met him he was under a salary of $500
per week to J. H. Haverly. Haver-
ly's Minstrels had just finished very
successful engagement in San Fran
cisco, when some one suggested to
Emerson that regular minstrel com
pany in the city ought to pay. He
went quietly to work and engaged the
very best talent that could be got for
money, opened up the Standard Thea
ire, and ran q season of 265 nights,
clearing nearly $4,000. When the
business began to wane, William
knew that the public wanted rest
And so it has been right along. lie
don't believe in giving them too much
of a good thing, and just when the
want minstrelsy he is ready, and $
keeps himself fresh for the publics
either England, Australia or America.
And again, when he engages Il per-
former he does everything in his
power to make the performers act a
go, even teaching and introducing
business for them. This is an unus-
ual thing with professionals, but he
seems different, and when mem
bers of his own company have tr ed to
initiate him, and had begun
to think they were Just about
to step into his shoes, he would ap-
pear upon the scene, sing sweet
song touching high c), 90 one OF his
neat dances, and our friend the per-
former would be crushed. Who do |
refer to? Oh, no one in particular. 1t
has happened time and time again,
and some OF them have companies in
the East, but it is wonderful how they
change their dates when they hear of
Emerson coming their way.
"How old is he? | think he is
about "a.
"Where does he spend the time
when out of the business? Generally
in San Francisco with his wife, as he
has fine mansion in the best part of
town, and is quiet home body. So
you can give it to your readers that he
is not the wild, dissipated man that
some would try to make him; but, OF
course, being a public man, people
will talk. | left San Francisco this
day week, and left him hard at work
rehearsing and getting everything in
perfect shape for this trip. AS he al
ways feels little bit nervous on max
ing his first appearance in a city W here
he has never played before, and don't
want to leave anything undone that
might interfere with the success OF the
venture, you can be assured that
(barring accident) he will show them
what real talent is in the minstrel
line. Our other people are all clever.
Why there's Pete Mac, who comes all
the way from England to tak Ike the
bones end, and Billy Chase and Jack
Talbot, who have never been on the
coast, and Otis Carter, a fine tenor,
whom l hope will be in good voice, as
the Eastern press speak very highly
of him, and lot of others which we
can talk about at some future time, as
/ must go and engage rooms for them.
You will kindly excuse me-"